The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-26

IN Democratic communities; nor can II 90
shown that there exists anywhere purpose to
abridge the right of suffrage either by change
Of the constitution or repeal of the existing |
laws upon the subject.
For ten years after the close Of tho |
war the Republican party had undisputed |
control of the Federal Government In |
all its departments, and during that
period it not only failed to make necessary re-
forms in the public service or to legislate for
the promotion Of the general welfare, but 1t
neglected the material interests OF
the masses Of the people, and, in its anxiety to
win the applause and support of aggregated
capital, it laid the foundation for many new
abuses which have since grown to alarming
1t virtually DESTROYED the Amert-
can navy and merchant marine. 1t squandered
the public lands by unnecessary and excessive
grants to corporations, and by permitting large
and valuable tracts to be appropriate by
syndicates Of spectators; and it wasted the
public money by a loose and extravaganza
system of expenditures which has no parallel
in our history. 1t maintained an unequal
system Of taxation, for the avowed purpose OF
obstructing international exchanges. and at
the same time, with glaring Inconsistency, 1t
paid subsidies out of the public treasury to en-
courage foreign commerce. 1t employed the
military power to control elections by the
people, and to overawe the tribunals ap-
pointed by law to make the returns. 1t
established and abolished courts and commits.
sions, and increased or diminished their iuris-
dictions to meet political emergencies; and,
under the decisions and awards OF these tenn
porary and irresponsible tribunals. 1T PAID
many millions Of dollars out of the public
treasury on claims of at least doubtful validity,
held by people living in part Of the country
cOrp1V needed,
Up to the last moment of its supremacy, 1T
habitually used official power for partisan pur-
poses, and made its placemen an organized
body OF political serfs every one OF whom was
compelled by the memorable law OF the party
to contribute his money and his personal serv-
ices whenever demanded.
1t is not proposed here to attempt an emu
meration Of all the obnoxious measures and
arbitrary practices of the Republican party
while in power, but simply to mention few.
for the purpose Of indicating the spirit In which
it conducted public affairs. 1t has left the
country a legacy Of bad laws and vicious
methods Of administration which it will take
many years of earnest labor to correct and it
is evident that this task can be best
performed by those who have no per-
sonal or political responsibility for the
evils that are to be remedied. The reconstruc-
ton Of the navy and the restoration Of the
merchant marine are not likely to be accom-
plished by continuation of the same policy
which reduced them to their present condition;
nor is it probable that such a reformation OF
the civil service as will make it thoroughly
honest and effective, and place official respon-
sibility above partisan obligations, can or will
be effected by the same political party which
perssently pursued the course that made re.
form necessary. 1t would be an act OF folly to
intrust the preservation of the public domain
to the same men who, when they had the
power despoiled this great heritage OF the
people. The same influences which surrounded
and controlled them then surround and con-
troll them now, and will continue to do SO.
Few questions Of purely internal policy are
of greater or more immediate Importance to
the people than those which relate directly or
indirectly TO the public lands. These questions
are of supreme Importance to that large
number Of our citizens who are without other
means than the wages Of their labor, and
who are struggling to secure homes
for themselves and families Unless
the comparatively small quantity OF arabic
land now left in the hands Of the Government
is carefully protected against the encroach'
ments of mere spectators and the fraudulent
evasions of the law which have already re-
suited IN the acquisition of many millions OF
impossible for the surplus laborers in the older
communities to secure cheap homes in the
West; and then we shall begin to experience,
in q worse form than ever heretofore, those SO.
cial and political evils which naturally spring
from dense and idle populations The situa-
ton imperatlvely demands the careful revision
and strict enforcement of the laws relating to
the disposition of the public domain, so that
speculation and fraud may be prevented OF
punished, and cheap homes and good titles
guaranteed to the honest settler; the reclama-
| ton of lands illegally occupied or claimed BY
| individuals and corporations, foreign and do
nestle; and just and speedy settlement Of all
| matters in dispute between the Government
and the subsidized railroad companies; the en-
| actment and rigid enforcement Of laws to com
| pei corporations to take patents for al
| the lands actually and legally earned by then
| under grants from the Government, SO tina
| they may be subject to taxation by the State!
| and Territories in which they are situated; and
| finally, the adoption of a just and enlightened
| policy for the civilization and Government o
| the Indians within our jurisdiction, in orde
| that all the substantial rights OF these depend
| ent people may be amply protected withou
unnecessarily retarding the develop ment o
our new States and Territories.
Much has already been done during the pres
Z ehG ADMINISTRATION 10 TeCls&lm JANUS CouulAoA
ally granted to railroad and other corporations
to annul fraudulent entries to prevent unlaw
full Enclosures, and to protect the timbers ant
minerals upon the public domain; but the wor]
is still incomplete, and it will require addition
al legislation and constant vigilance upon tn
part of those charged with the administrator
of the laws to prevent the improper appropria
ton of a large part of the most valuable terri
tory belonging to the Government. L
! order to do this the cooperation Of tn
legislative and Executive departments is at
solutely necessary, and past experience ha
shown that this cooperation, except to lin
tied extent, could not be secured until after
Democratic Administration was ihauguratet
The foundations of the existing system, unde
which immense landed estates have been az
quired by foreign and domestic corporation
and syndicates were laid by the Republica
party, and the fraudulent practices which hav
despoied the public domain Of its most fertil
and valuable sections were begun and contir
4 ued while Republican officials alone wer
charged with the duty OF enforcing the laws an
protecting the interests OF the Government an
the people. Even now, when the magnitude {
the evil is almost universally recognized, an
the demand for immediate reform is urgentl
pressed by the homeless labor of the countr.
the Republican Senate either refuses to act 9
i, all or proceeds slowly and reluctantly to tn
consideration of the subject. On the otht
hand, the Democratic House has been earne
: and active In its efforts to secure such change
, in the laws as will dedicate the public lands
actual settlers under the Homestead law, ar
, has even gone SO far as to amend its rules
5 order to give such measures preferent
t over other business. 1t has passed bill
l j FORGETTING and restoring to the Cover
, ment, for the benefit Of actual Sc
. tiers, more than one hundred millie
t acres OF land, only a part Of which has bee
: concurred in by the Senate; and it has passt
' and sent to the Senate bill to repeal II
Timber Culture. Presumption and Desert Lar
5 laws, under which most OF the great frau
,,aro nom roitted The course of the Interi